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that one broke at the first touch. It was my father who sent me for Jamie. The lances came from the king's armory. They should have been" |
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"Enough," Ian said sharply. "A flawed shaft can escape any armorer's eye now and again." |
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The three passes were over, but two other contestants had taken the places in the lists. Salisbury had now joined the conference between Pembroke and Ian's challenger. Ian watched them for a moment longer, then reached out to tousle Geoffrey's hair. |
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"Tell Owain to leave Jamie to check the lances and come back to his place. I am ready to joust again now, and I will have to settle with the gentleman, who seems to be determined to win Westfield over my body." |
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It was not completely true that Ian was ready to joust again. His shield arm still ached, and it trembled slightly when he lifted it. He was tired, too, but he could not allow Pembroke and Salisbury to delay the challenge much longer. The king, Ian could see, was staring in their direction. He rode slowly around the edge of the field. His horse, he noted, seemed to have recovered faster than he and was quite light and easy in movement. The devil took care of his own. |
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"But my dear Sir Thomas," Salisbury was saying, "this is not a trial by combat. This is a tourney to celebrate several happy events. The king has graciously consented to show his love and respect for Lord Ian by permitting himself to be challenged, but no provision has been made for bringing such matters to a final conclusion. And there are so many others eager to try" |
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"Lord Arundel was offered a second passage," Sir Thomas grated furiously, obviously repeating something he had said before. |
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"Please, Lord Salisbury," Ian interrupted. "Sir Thomas has what he believes to be a just quarrel, and |
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